Aim: The aim of the study, being part of a Norwegian evaluation project of the RAFAELA system, was to explore nurse managers' perception of the RAFAELA system as a management tool in a Norwegian hospital setting.
Design: We applied an explorative qualitative design using focus group interviews.
Methods: Two focus group interviews were performed with 12 nurses in different management positions during autumn 2013. The principles of qualitative content analysis were used for analysing data.
Results: Three themes emerged. The informants experienced the RAFAELA system to be a basis for a precise and common langue. Furthermore, the informants considered it to be a system defining quality standards of nursing care. Finally, the RAFAELA system provided daily documentation of nursing intensity and thus was considered an important management tool for balancing patient needs with appropriate staff.
Keywords: focus group interviews; medical and surgical hospital units; nurse managers’ perceptions; patient classification system.